The theme for this year's event is "Share the Journey," which invites people to make Earth Day in Southern Oregon more than an annual event.

"There are many unique paths to creating greener lifestyles, and many steps we can take toward a more sustainable future," says Paige Prewett, event manager. "This event provides a forum for community members, organizations and businesses to share ideas and actions that help our community to make every day Earth Day in the Rogue Valley."

Rogue Valley Earth Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, 1500 E. Main St., Ashland.

Visitors can view 65 exhibits — 20 of which are new this year — from local businesses and organizations that showcase sustainability and feature topics such as transportation, wildlife conservation, green building and more.

"There's really something for everyone this year," Prewett says.

Kids can earn stamps as they take a self-guided tour through the hands-on exhibits from EcoQuest, and Talent Boys & Girls Club will host games in the open field. The Kid Zone also will offer recycled crafts, the Cardboard Village, face-painting and a petting zoo. A new attraction for this year's festival is the Salmon Storytelling tent, where kids can dress in colorful costumes to learn about migrating salmon and forest animals.

Grown-ups may take interest in the fuel-efficient transportation technology showcase that features a Tesla Model S, a smart car, Passat TDI, and electric motorcycles and bicycles. Southern Oregon Goodwill will hold an up-cycling exhibition that showcases household items and unwanted garments repurposed into wearable clothing and functional art. Craft beer from Standing Stone Brewing Co. also will be on tap.

While this type of event often features tables of key chains and other trinkets, Prewett says that organizers of the event at ScienceWorks wants people to take something else home.

"We want people to leave with ideas about sustainable actions that they can use in their daily lives," Prewett says.

The event will feature live music by Rutendo Marimba, Rogue Valley Peace Choir and Chapter II. Other performances include traditional Hawaiian dance by Keiki Hula, science demonstrations by ScienceLive and a community drum circle.

Rogue Valley Earth Day strives to be a zero-waste event. Attendees are asked to bring their own reusable drink container, which can be filled at the Water on Wheels drinking water station, and food vendors will serve food on washable or compostable plates.

Admission to Rogue Valley Earth Day and ScienceWorks is free; regular admission rates apply to the Prehistoric Predators exhibit. For more information, call 541-488-6767 or see www.roguevalleyearthday.net.